Ancient Hedge Laying Brings Wildlife Back to Somerset Lake

Endangered farmland birds and hedgehogs are getting a lifeline at a Somerset reservoir, thanks to a craft that's been around for centuries.

Bristol Water is bringing ancient hedge laying techniques back to Blagdon Lake, a 440-acre reservoir in the Mendip Hills. Instead of trimming hedges with heavy machinery, workers are carefully laying trimmed stems horizontally to create dense, vibrant living spaces for wildlife.

The difference is dramatic. Traditional hedge trimming leaves plants sparse and unwelcoming for animals looking for shelter. Hedge laying lets light reach the bottom of hedgerows, triggering thick vertical regrowth that provides perfect cover for nesting birds, hedgehogs, and insects during harsh winter months.

Mike Reed, the hedge laying specialist leading the team, knows what's at stake. "So many of our farmland and countryside birds are endangered, as are hedgehogs, so creating these spaces for them to live and nest in is more important than ever," he said.

The project has already restored 1,800 meters of hedgerow at the Site of Special Scientific Interest. Work will pause during nesting season to protect any birds or animals already calling the hedges home, then continue until completion in two years.

Reed sees another win beyond wildlife. "Hedge laying is a historical craft with a strong local tradition and I'm proud to be passing it onto the next generation through this work," he said. Young workers are learning skills that kept countryside ecosystems healthy for generations.

The Ripple Effect

This project shows how looking backward can move conservation forward. While modern farming often relies on speed and machinery, Bristol Water chose a slower, more thoughtful approach that benefits multiple species at once.

Simon Hughes, treescape officer at Bristol Water, is already seeing promise. "It won't be long before we will start to see a complete transformation in the hedgerows and it's exciting for all of us at Bristol Water to be a part of creating this significant and important change," he said.

The Mendip Hills will soon buzz with life again as species return to their restored habitat.